NEWLY COMMISSIONED WORK

Under the tyrannical influence of Queen Cannibali’s voodoo spell the enchanting Skull Island Orchestra will whisk you away to a tropical island via an intoxicating musical mix of exotica, lounge and mambo.

A night of dangerous cabaret, heroic theatrical feats, exotic flavours, exploding volcanos and tribal grooves, Queen Cannibali and the Skull Island Orchestra will kidnap your body and your mind, before finally allowing you to exorcise yourself from the Queen’s clutches with a steamy dance set.

You will celebrate the Opening Night Party of the 2015 Castlemaine State Festival — that’s an order straight from Queen Cannibali!
(Performance repeated on Friday 20 March).

Get your tiki on and dress to impress so the Queen makes you a favourite.

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With Mohamed Camera

Mohamed Camara was born in Guinea, West Africa, into the Manding family. At ten years old, Mohamed began an apprenticeship with Guinean master drummer Ton Ton Sylla, which led to Mohamed performing in many of Guinea’s leading ensembles including Ballet Bolonta, Les Sorciers de Guinée, and Ballet Destin.

Since arriving in Australia in 2007, Mohamed has fast become a highly sought-after African artist and ambassador. He has performed and conducted workshops at many leading events including Woodford Folk Festival, Darwin Festival and Apollo Bay Music Festival, and in 2010 Mohamed undertook a national tour with Guinean percussion and dance ensemble Muhanamwe.

Date/Times

Sat 21, 11:00 – 12:00

Stage/Location

Workshop

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HIP HOP DANCE WORKSHOP

With the Superhoodz

SUPERHOODZ are a young, vibrant, and fresh Hip Hop dance crew based in Melbourne. Superhoodz have been together for 5 years and have won a range of Hip Hop competitions Australian wide. Training with choreographers with credits of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Usher, Superhoodz aspire to be the best at what they do as well as to do what they love, which is to dance, entertain and inspire others.

Date/Times

Sun 15, 11:30 – 12:30

Stage/Location

Workshop Tent

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Yutaka Kobayashi

Yutaka Kobayashi was born in Tokyo and is presently based in Mildura as a visiting Professor from the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, through a partnership with La Trobe Art Institute and Arts Mildura. Since receiving his Master of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design, New York, in 1991 Kobayashi has shown in exhibitions internationally including the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in Japan. His ecologically concerned site-specific installations often involve collaborations with schools and community. Such complex projects have been undertaken by Kobayashi in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Korea, Venezuela and Japan. He has received overseas fellowships from the Japanese Ministry of Culture & Education, and artist-in-residence at the Otis College of Art & Design and the Californian College of Arts & Crafts. In addition to his professorial position and artistic practice Kobayashi is also a member of the Mayor’s Urban Planning cabinet for the city of Naha.

Shaun Wilson is an Australian artist, film maker and academic who for the past twenty years has made art through painting, miniatures, and moving image. He has exhibited and screened his own work and made work for others displayed at venues such as The TATE Modern, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Fenosa Union, Moscow Museum of Fine Arts, Centre on Contemporary Art Seattle, and the Institute of Modern Art Brisbane as well as representation in collections such as the NGV artist books, The Ergas Collection at MCA Sydney, Deakin University Art Collection, and private collections in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He holds three degrees in Fine Arts including a PhD from the University of Tasmania and is currently a senior lecturer in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University.

Topic: How to Screen a Memory Palace: exploring memory and the moving image

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Jessica Ledwich

Jessica Ledwich is a Melbourne based visual artist whose work explores the more contentious topics of conversation. Mortality, anthropology, and contemporary ideals are themes that regularly feature in her work. Her work seeks to create a powerful psychological viewing space that exists in the rich space that lies between the known and the unknown.

She initially studied a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University, Melbourne, but found her true calling in photography and visual art. In 2011 the Australian Centre of Media Photographers selected her as 1 of 5 emerging artists in Australia for her provoking and visually seductive work. In 2011 she was also selected as a feature artist in the U.S Publication Visual Overture. Her photographic series Monstrous Feminine has recently gone global, receiving press coverage in the US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.
In March 2014 she was awarded a residency at Cherrycake Studio in Penang, Malaysia.

Ledwich has just completed her Master of Fine Arts at RMIT University and is a finalist in the 2015 Linden Art Prize.

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Jan van Schaik

Qualifications : Bachelor of Architecture with Honours 1st Class

Biography
Jan van Schaik is a director of Minifie van Schaik Architects and a lecturer and PHD candidate at the RMIT University School of Architecture & Design. His approach to practice prioritises the cultural and civic nature of architecture and is manifest in The Centre for Ideas at the Victorian College of the Arts, The Australian Wildlife Health Centre in the Healesville Sanctuary, the Edithvale Seaford Wetlands Discovery Centre for Melbourne Water, a chain of confectionery stores, international masterplanning projects and a house here in Mildura.

In 2010 he exhibited a series of projects for the improvement of Mildura’s built environment at the London Festival of Architecture on behalf of the Australian High Commission. He has collaborated extensively with artists and through the World Architecture Workshop, an ongoing research and teaching project with academics and professionals in Australia, France, Japan, Spain, China and the United States which harnesses professional and institutional knowledge to unravel intractable urban problems. His teaching focuses on cultural and civic design solutions applied to local briefs the last three of which have been located Mildura, respectively the Old Mildura Base Hospital Project, the Mildura Population Project, and the Mildura Solar Architecture Project.

As an invited examiner he contributes to architectural education and debate at RMIT University, Deakin University, the University of Westminster, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Sint Lucas School of Architecture in Ghent, Belgium. The civic component of his practice is augmented by a series of public artworks and his role as chair of the Melbourne City Council Creative Spaces Working Group which manages, curates and develops affordable space for the creative industries across Melbourne and Victoria.

His work is awarded, published and exhibited both locally and internationally. For more information please visit www.mvsarchitects.com.au

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Professor Helen Ennis

Director, Centre for Art History and Art Theory
ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences

Professor Helen Ennis is one of Australia’s leading photography curators, historians and writers. She was formerly Curator of Photography at the National Gallery of Australia (1985-1992). She joined the Australian National University School of Art in 1995 and is Convenor of the Graduate Research program. In 2014 she became Director of the Centre for Art History and Art Theory.

Helen specializes in Australian photographic history, especially of the modern period, biography, death studies, curatorship and museology. Since 2000 she has curated 8 major exhibitions for the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, National Library and other cultural institutions. She is currently writing a biography on modernist photographer Olive Cotton, supported by funding from the Australia Council Literature Board. She was awarded the ABR George Hicks Foundation Fellowship in 2013.

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Edgar Hechavarria Ricardo

Edgar Hechavarria Ricardo was born in 1975 in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. He lives and Works in Havana.

He’s a former member of the acclaimed radical performance collective ‘Enema’ and a 2003 graduate from the Higher Institute of Art (ISA), Havana, Cuba.

Edgar has participated in a number of national and international events such as Havana’s 9th and 10th Biennials (2006, 2009), and 1rst Biennial End of the World in Usuahia, Argentina (2007). Among his most significant exhibitions are: solo exhibitions “Apuntalando” (2008), and “Patología de una Quimera” (2008) Group exhibitions include; International Festival of Performance, Miami Beach, Miami, USA (2014-2013), Proyecto Batiscafo, Multimedia and Documentation, collateral to Havana’s 11th Biennial, Cuba (2012), Cuban Gold: Viva la Reproducción, Prints by Contemporary Cuban Artists, London Print Studio, London (2011), El extremo de la bala -una década de arte cubano, La Habana (2010).

He has received several national awards, one of which is Premio X Salón de Arte Digital, Obra Impresa, Havana (2009).

Reviews about his work have been published by renown art critics and curators like Magda González-Mora for “Revista Atlántica No 55-56”, and Ibis Hernández Abascal for the catalogue “Punto de encuentro” (2009).

His works are in private collections in Argentina, Canada, EE.UU, and Spain.

For the 2015 Castlemaine State Festival, he is collaborating with Slow Art Collective and students from Castlemaine Secondary on Loomûsica, the Festival’s signature International Mentorship Project.

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Catherine Pilgrim

Meticulous observation through drawing is the basis for Catherine Pilgirm’s practice. From lithographs and drawings, to the more recent exploration of history, fastidious attention to detail has always been the common element. After studying lithography and drawing in Washington DC, Catherine has been exhibiting widely since 1994. Her work is included in public, corporate and private collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Geelong Regional Gallery, Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum, Perri Cutten, and National Australia Bank. She has a Master of Fine Art (Research) from Monash University. In 2014 Catherine was artist in residence at Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, resulting in the exhibition Making History, Hidden World of the Leviny Women, Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum. 28th February – 11th April 2015.
Catherine lives and works in Castlemaine and is represented by Alcaston Gallery Melbourne.

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Rebelles

From the Ronettes to the Ramones and everything in between, it’s The Rebelles!

Like nothin’ else you’ve ever seen or heard, The Rebelles are 15 wondrous women servin’ up a wall of girl group greatness. With punk energy, harmonic panache and a good-bad-but-not-evil glint, The Rebelles have developed a reputation as one band you HAVE to see – always swingin’, usually fast and definitely loud!

The Rebelles are the crazed creation of monophonic masterminds Rhonda and Bobb B Rebelle. Dazed by the hypnotic spell of doo-lang harmonies, Rhonda and Bobb B infused two-finger downtown riffs with an uptown swagger that’s settin’ the streets alight. The result was The Rebelles, an all-singin’, all-swingin’ brood of harmonisin’ misfits and heart-breakin’ miscreants hittin’ audiences where it hurts the best – right between the heart and the hips.
Backed by their very own rockin’ four-piece band, The Rebelles have been breakin’ hearts and tearin’ up stages across Melbourne ever since. They’ve saxed on with Big Jay McNeely and ripped it up with You Am I; samurai’d with Ikotchi (hai!) and battled with Barbarion; sung sweet carols with The Blackeyed Susans and surfed murder ballads with Dan Sultan!

So come on, join the action and let’s dance with The Rebelles!

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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Madeline Hudson

Madeline Hudson is a fiesty folk songtress and captivating storyteller who will take you on a journey from the wilds of the activist frontline to melodic musings of the soul. Performing songs on both guitar and mandolin with stompin dual foot percussion, Madeline’s dynamic energy is infectious.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 3:00 – 3:30

Stage/Location

Lounge Bar

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ZUCCHINI CLAN

The Zucchini-Clan – a wonderful musical troupe with a message to share with both young and old audiences.

Fresh from the Adelaide Fringe Festival where the Zooks played to resounding success with kids bopping & parents trying hard to not join in.

These musicians have been working hard for more than a year now to establish their almost pantomime-like show full of catchy tunes. Think The Wiggles but with more make-up and a strong message of sustainability and protection of the environment.

Date/Times

Sun 15, 1:30- 2:15

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino
Workshop Tent

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AMAZING DRUMMING MONKEYS

This is an adorable little variety show aimed at 2 – 8 yr olds, and is also great entertainment for all ages. The 2 monkey puppets (Bongo & Congo) play African drums, lead audiences in songs & dances, and perform magic tricks.

Famous all over Australia, this show is not to be missed.

“The Next Wiggles”
NT News

“The Next Bananas!”
Nicole Foote JJJ

“Beating Hi 5 hands down”
Adelaide Advertiser

Date/Times

Sun 15, 2:00 – 3:00

Stage/Location

Workshop Tent

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THE UKULELE LADY SINGS THE BLUES

Victoria Hammond is a local singer songstress who first picked up the Tenor Ukulele when she made the tree change and moved to Castlemaine six years ago.

Since then, Victoria has been captivating local audiences with her penchant for singing sad songs for the brokenhearted. Influenced by early jazz, blues and contemporary classics, her voice is sweet and sultry yet her performance style is cheeky and provocative.

Victoria will be performing for the State Festival an eclectic mix of her favourite covers from a variety of genres in her unique and intimate style.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 1:30 – 2:00

Stage/Location

Lounge Bar

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GLEE CLUB

with Vicky Jacobs

Glee is a bit like karaoke, but where everyone gets to be the star of the show. With added drama, flair, show tunes and jazz hands.

GLEE CLUB is a celebration of the cheesy tunes, lonesome looks and group singing sensations that reside in us all.

Vicky Jacobs is a noted musical director and pianist and has worked broadly in music theatre, playing in the orchestra pits for Xanadu, Dr Zhivago, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, The Lion King, and she is currently Assistant Musical Director on Jersey Boys and Musical Director of Motherhood the Musical.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 12:30 – 1:30
Sun 15, 3:30 – 4:30

Stage/Location

Workshop Tent

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UKE JOINT JUMPERS

The Uke Joint Jumpers were established in a sly grog shop under an old speakeasy in the regional gold mining city of Bendigo, Victoria.

This eclectic group play their unique ukulele barrelhouse blues, covering the songs of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Louis Jordan.

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THE TRINITY TIGER TONES

One of Australia’s foremost acapella groups, the Trinity Tiger Tones do everything from classic barbershop numbers to contemporary pop/rock hits, and all in tuxedo!

Date/Times

Sat 21, 11:30 – 12:30

Stage/Location

Lounge

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CANDYSTRIPES

The Candystripes is the all girl, all amazing, glee club a capella vocal group for women at Melbourne’s Trinity College.

The Candystripes perform at college functions and events in the wider community.

This will be their first time performing in Regional Victoria.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 11:00 – 12noon
2:30 – 4:00 Workshop

Stage/Location

Lounge

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THE MIGHTY BUZZNIKS

‘If Dr Seuss started a rock band – This would be it!’

The Mighty bUZZniks perform an energetic, action packed show that will have the whole family buzzing!

Bridging the gap between music for toddlers and teens, the bUZZniks bring a show of diverse musical styles where hip-hop, rock, folk and pop back quirky lyrics for the little people.

Come on a fabulous musical adventure with this five piece live band of experienced musicians who create very cool music, funny stories, theatre and a lot of energy that will have kids moving and parents grooving.

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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THE DANGLES

Daredevil Dynamo Diva’s

Introducing three daredevil, dynamo, diva’s who are ready to rock!

Join Cindy, Donna and Gloria for a first class circus synthesis. These sisters are some of Australia’s most exciting performers. See them perform on 8m chair stacks, spin faster than a mirror ball, hula in a handstand, and swing through the air.. all bound together with their passion for rock.

Once the support act for David Mowie, now they’re here, for their world premiere. At no. one for 15 minutes The Dangles are one of the biggest female Aussie pop rock bands of the 80’s..

Their first free show in 25 years. Book a bus now!

“The Dangles are my all time favourite rock chicks.”Molly Meldram

“Awesome riffs and bangin moves” Rolling Stains magazine

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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NIGHTMARE

Such As They Are

Entering up the ramp and under a smoke bellowing skull, audiences find themselves surrounded by a nightmarish tale told through miniature worlds, pop-out puppets, sensory effects and an unforgettable climax.

Enter if you dare!

(Unsuitable for claustrophobics and those easily scared)

Date/Times

Sat 14, Sun 15 & Sat 21, Times TBC

Stage/Location

Horse Float

Currently the house band for the monthly Castlemaine Blues Jam. If you like the music of B.B King, Howling Wolf, Etta James, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Bondi Cigars & John Mayall, bring your suitcase down!

Date/Times

Sun 15, 12:30 – 1:30

Stage/Location

Lounge

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STRETCH CITY

Come warm up, stretch your body, relax and get ready for a day of festival madness with Stretch City Yoga, Festival Style!

*Breakfast will be available after stretch – for both participants and general breakfast enthusiasts

Date/Times

Sat 14, Sun 15 & Sat 21, 10:30 – 11:15

Stage/Location

Outside Grass

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THE REAL HOT BITCHES - Workshop

The Real Hot Bitches have thrusted their way across the hottest stages in Australia with their core motto: ‘whatever you lack in technique, make up for with passion’. In this 80’s dance explosion workshop, the Real Hot Bitches will show you how to channel your dance passion and unleash your inner bitch.

All hot bitches welcome, girl bitches, boy bitches, whatever bitches. Wear whatever get’s you into the groove, the bitches recommend Lycra, one layer or ten.
For audiences of 15 years and older

Date/Times

Sat 21, 12:30 – 2:30

Stage/Location

Workshop

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THE REAL HOT BITCHES

The Real Hot Bitches are a lycra lovin’, glitter explosion with a passion, a dance passion.

With all the lycra, lace, glitter, glory, g-string leotards, voluminous hair and power thrusts you can handle, the bitches bust out epic routines to the classic hits of the 80’s.

Date/Times

Sat 21, 4:45 – 5:00 Lounge Bar Victory Park

Sun 22, 4:15 – 4:30 Tree Stage Botanical Gardens

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PORCELAIN PUNCH VARIETY SHOW

A DAY OF THE FAIRGROUND

Drawing inspiration from an old fashioned caravan, antique bottles and suitcases, red velvet curtains, and the strength and versatility of performers- the hybrid vaudevillian of Porcelain Punch Company took to it’s feet.

On the back of extensive regional, national and international tours, Porcelain Punch return to Castlemaine, for an electric showcase of some of Castlemaine and Melbourne’s finest vaudeville performers.

‘A day of the Fairground’ is a toffee apple and pink puffy fairy floss infused afternoon featuring live music, circus, physical comedy and contemporary clown on the vintage Teatro Peppino stage.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 4:00 – 5:00
Sun 15, 4:00 – 5:00

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino

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PERCH CREEK

Perch Creek are a band of five energetic multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, four of whom happen to be siblings. This Melbourne-based band play harmony driven roots music with a creative energy and fearless spirit that sparkles with imagination and individuality.

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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NICOLA WATSON

with CHRIS CLEMENTS

Renowned for her intimate live shows and witty banter, Nicola Watson’s smoky voice sings of romance and regret. Her songs present melodic storytelling, framed by simple picked classical guitar. Drawing comparisons with Jolie Holland and Basia Bulat, Watson recently returned to Melbourne after a long stint singing jazz in Japan.

Whether playing with full band or stripped solo, whether to large crowds or tiny bars, Watson’s performances are ever intimate. Immediate and arresting, her songs reveal the dark in everyday, in ways both dry and sweet.

“[Watson] is in a class of her own.”
Simone, Beat Magazine

Date/Times

Sat 14, 3:30 – 4:30

Stage/Location

Lounge

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MIC MAKS

Australia’s newest and most colourful family music act the MicMaks are brothers Joel, Alan, Brian and Dean McInnes. The band boasts the world’s best drumming Panda ‘Drums the Panda’ and look out for ‘Bruce the Hairy Crocodile!’

The group have enormous fun performing their quirky songs for children and adults. They write and perform their own songs that focus on engaging children through colour, actions and movement. Music is a passion for all four and they feel privileged to be able to share it with their young audiences.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 12:15 – 1:00
Sun 15,11:00 – 11:45 & 2:45 – 3:15

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino

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MELBOURNE MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA

The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra was formed in 1967 and has thrilled and entertained audiences in almost all the capital cities of Australia as well as numerous cities in Europe and Japan during its overseas tours.

It performs a very wide repertoire of music spanning several centuries and numerous styles ranging from Renaissance to contemporary compositions, some of which were written specifically for this orchestra.

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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MAMA ALTO’S JAZZ HIGH TEA

Mama Alto – a resplendent diva, a cabaret goddess, an exquisite countertenor, a jazz singer extraordinaire – is a creature of sequins, satin, feathers and diamantes. And so it may surprise that one of Mama Alto’s most beloved rituals is in fact the genteel and grandmotherly tradition of afternoon tea.

Sophistication comes in many forms darlings! Make yourself comfortable as Mama Alto pours you a cup of tea and sings you a cup of love. And who knows what surprises Mama and her musical director Tiffanni Walton might have for you… Do come along. It will be simply marvellous to see you.

“Beyond issues of camp or drag into something quietly and almost innocently beautiful.”
Adelaide Advertiser

Date/Times

Sun 15, 3:30 – 4:30

Stage/Location

Lounge

Singing their own unique arrangements of pop music from the 60’s to today.

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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LOUISE ADAMS

Adopted by her current hometown of Castlemaine, Louise Adams’ overwhelming and all encompassing vocals have made her an ever increasing favourite in SA, Victoria and beyond.

Her gift is a strong and powerfully feminine voice. At times gravelly, at others smooth, but always sending tingles down the spines of everyone in the room. Her flair for writing original music and lyrics, influenced by blues, soul and garage rock is surpassed only by her ability to win over a crowd; leaving them yearning for more.

Date/Times

Sun 15, 2:45 – 3:30
Sun 22

Stage/Location

Lounge Bar

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THE LORDS OF STRUT

“Destiny is written on the dance floor and we know how to read!”

Famous Seamus and Sean-Tastic, will do anything to try and be famous. Satire, surrealism and silly comedy with flashes of surprising acrobatic skill and dance routines makes Lords of Strut, bright, tight and incredibly funny live entertainment!

“This is circus like you have never seen it before. In the air, on their backs and with very little clothing.”

Date/Times

Sat 21
4:00- 4:45 Lounge
Victory Park

Sun 22
2:00 -2:45 Tree Stage
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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THE LIVING LIBRARY

You go to the library, check the catalogue and ask about the availability of the book. If it is in, then you have a specific amount of time to read the book and to put it back on the shelf, undamaged…

Our Living Library is the coming together of individuals from all walks of life representing many different viewpoints, experiences and values in an open and safe environment.

The ‘Books’ are real people who are able to communicate their personal reality and are available to be ‘borrowed’ by an interested ‘Reader.’
Don’t judge a book by its cover!

Date/Times

Sat 14, 11am – 1pm
Sun 15, 11am – 1pm
Sat 21, 11am – 1pm

Stage/Location

Living Library

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BAMBAM CIRCUS PLAY

with Hoopy Hayley and Matman

Fresh from the bigtop comes a BamBam circus play area for children of all ages. Learn fancy tricks with hula-hoops, spinning poi, juggling balls, spinning plates, clowning, and more!!

Bring along a friend, it’s twice the fun! All equipment provided

Date/Times

Sun 22

Stage/Location

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

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THE LITTLE MAGNIFICO

BamBam Circus – Side Show for Smalls

Roll up! Roll Up! Ladies, gentlemen and all bald headed babies!
A vibrant circus spectacle guaranteed to provide a hoot of a time.
With clowns, hula-hoops, juggling, magic and slapstick.

After sellout shows at ‘Northcote for Kids’ and ‘Adelaide Fringe’ The Little Magnifico brings the Big Top down!

Date/Times

Sat 21, 1:30 – 2:15 & 4:00 – 4:45

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino

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GERALDINE QUINN

Geraldine Quinn (Spicks and Specks, Rockwiz, Adam Hills Tonight) is a multi-award-winning rock cabaretiér who has performed all around Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

In 2014, Quinn was nominated for two awards in the New Zealand Fringe Festival and Best MC in the national Bustie Awards (annual Australian burlesque scene awards), and hosted the 2014 Melbourne Fringe Festival program launch.

She is healthily enamored of the work of David Bowie and not at all obsessed.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 12:00 – 12:40
Sun 15, 12:00 – 12:30 & 1:30 – 2:00

Stage/Location

Lounge Bar

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ELOISE GREEN

Direct from hosting Adelaide’s ‘FRINGE IN THE MALL’ acrobat / hula artist and MC extraordinaire Eloise Green has performed at over 83 Festivals in over 15 countries around the world, including her performances in the comedy duo ‘OzStar Airlines’ who performed at the London National Theatre and have toured internationally and nationally for six years.

Join Eloise as she performs and MC’s in the Lounge Tent for an afternoon of fun times with a mixed bag of amazing performances.
It is always more enjoyable to laugh with others than laugh alone!!

Date/Times

Sun 22, 11:30 -12:15 Tree Stage, Castlemaine Botanic Gardens

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THE FAMILY ROOM SONGBOOK

With Eleanor Barkla

Cult classics, sentimental tunes and guilty pleasures are all etched into our toe-tapping psyche before we’ve even learned how to walk.

Join Miss Ellie Barkla in a dawdle down memory lane, as she performs for you through voice and keys, the melodies that have molded her childhood, with some questionable banter to boot.
Tunes from the likes of Eva Cassidy, Sting, Regina Spektor and Bob Dylan will be performed in Ellie’s own easy style, honed by seventeen years of family room soirées and sing-alongs.

Date/Times

Sun 15, 2:00 – 2:45
2:30 – 4:00 Workshop

Stage/Location

Lounge

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THE DUCK DOWNPICKERS

The Duck Downpickers (formerly The Sitting Ducks) play acoustic Zyda-Jug-Holy-Billy Blues, a little tongue in beak!

Inspired by the home-cooked mountain music of the Appalachians, the Ducks cite among their influences Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers, The Skillet Lickers, R Crumb and The Cheap Suit Serenaders and Old Crow Medicine Show.

The land, our body, and the way we communicate carries knowledge. This knowledge circulates, cycles and regenerates, taking what has gone before to build what is yet to come. Cultural Exchange is an exploration of creative material, between individuals, between cultures and between generations.

Artists from a range of backgrounds have collaborated with the createAbility drama group to develop a series of sketches, stories and songs that use physical performance, storytelling, song writing and visual representation to share the results of exchanging artistic knowledge. There are many ways to tell a story, and the best ones are told and retold.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 12:45 – 1:30
Sun 15, 11:00 – 12:00 noon
Sat 21, 1:00 – 2:00

Stage/Location

Lounge

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THE FUTURE OF THINGS PAST

The Chipolatas & Castlemaine Circus Inc.

Through a series of workshops and mentorships, internationally acclaimed circus performers The Chipolatas join forces with the newest clown-kids on the block the Castlemaine Circus Inc. to bring a newly developed work.

Highlighting new skills and shared moments of performance joy, this work creates a safe environment for these new performers, and we ask you to join us in warmly welcoming them to the stage.

Date/Times

Sat 21, 11:00 – 11:45

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino

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Charles Jenkins – Workshop

Charles has worked in the Juvenile Justice System and Gateway House. With the Festival of Healthy Living and the Berry St Organisation he has taught song writing in regional Victorian schools.

Charles has recently delivered songwriting workshops for the Bendigo Writers Festival, the Semaphore Music Festival and for the Telstra Road To Discovery program and taught songwriting at the University of Tasmania. He also runs songwriting workshops with up and coming Victorian songwriters in conjunction with APRA and The Push, Arts Victoria and The Australian Council for the Arts for the program Push Songs.

Date/Times

Sat 21, 3:00 – 4:30 Workshop

Stage/Location

Workshop Tent

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CHARLES JENKINS

Charles Jenkins is a Melbourne songwriter/musician and performer with more than 25 years experience in the Australian Music Industry.

A published songwriter for more than 20 years, Charles signed to Mushroom Publishing in 2004, and his songs have been placed in local and international television and film and recorded by artists of the calibre of Rebecca Barnard and Kerri Simpson.

He has been nominated for two ARIAS with the band Icecream Hands, and performed on the SBS music show RocKwiz. Of late he has co-written songs with Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything), Angie Hart (Frente) and Suzannah Espie.

“He’s too good a writer not to be in your life.”Sydney Morning Herald

Date/Times

Sat 21, 12:15 – 1:00
2:30 – 4:00 Workshop

Stage/Location

Theatre Peppino
Workshop Tent

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BODY APPLIANCE REVIVAL EXPERIENCE (B.A.R.E)

B.A.R.E. is a participatory dance performance exploring domestic appliances of the past, present and future. If a washing machine were a dance move, what would it look like?

Between Zumba and 2001 A Space Odyssey, you will be gently led through a physical interpretation of our relationship with the appliances that inhabit our world. From the machines of the past, to the smarter devices of the future, B.A.R.E. celebrates the changing nature of appliances and the physical effects they have on our human lives.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 11:30 – 12noon & 3:30 – 4:00

Sun 15, 12:30 – 1:00

Stage/Location

Workshop Tent

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Australia’s only vintage female barbershop quartet and cabaret show!

This Melbourne-based gaggle of vintage singers brings fun, colour and a snapshot of times past, where ever they go!

The all-female quartet wear authentic 1950s costumes and sing barbershop a capella tunes, along with traditional jazz hits, doo wop and a bit of Andrews Sisters thrown in for good measure.

Date/Times

Sat 21, 2:30 – 3:30pm

Stage/Location

Lounge

With the ability to move and relate audiences with her skillfull story telling, Arkie’s voice is captivating, and she delivers her tunes with conviction.

Her style is her own – folk crossing over into what she calls ‘spooky bluegrassy blues’, with a love of acoustic based instuments, and an ‘organic’ way of constructing songs.

Date/Times

Sat 14, 2:00 – 2.45pm

Stage/Location

Lounge

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All Day Fritz

All Day Fritz are a bunch of well known Melbourne performers including Karen Davitt (Blue Heelers, Madcows) John fleming (Scared Weird Little Guys), Jane Bayly (Crying in Public Places) and Boris Conley (Spaghetti Western Orchestra) who have crossed the great divide to bring you music that both adults and kids will love.

For one show only All Day Fritz bring their mix of family friendly, rowdy, harmonious, groovy tunes to the fabulous Victory Park in Castlemaine.